The Library of Unruly Treasures

The Borrowers meets Matilida in this funny, winning story of a girl who finds herself an unlikely hero when she stumbles upon a big secret about little creatures. The latest book from the National Book Award winning author of the Penderwicks series.

Gwen MacKinnon's parents are dreadful. Truly, deeply, almost impressively dreadful. So Gwen's not upset at all when she's foisted onto her never-before-seen Uncle Matthew for two weeks. Especially when it turns out he has a very opinionated dog named Pumpkin.

Things take a turn for the weird when Gwen makes a discovery in the local library. A discovery that involves tiny creatures with wings. And no, they're not birds. They're called Lahdukan. But why can only Gwen and the youngest children, gathered for storytime, see them?

The Lahdukan insist that Gwen is destined to help them find a new home. But how can a girl as unwanted, uncourageous, and generally unheroic as Gwen possibly come to the rescue? Pumpkin has a few ideas...

Jeanne Birdsall is the National Book Award-winning author of The Penderwicks and its sequel, The Penderwicks on Gardam Street (Knopf), both of which were also New York Times bestsellers. She lives in Northampton, Massachusetts with her husband, three insane cats, and a stubborn Boston terrier named Cagney. Visit her website at www.jeannebirdsall.com.

A TEXAS BLUEBONNET AWARD NOMINEE

★ "A tender story whose tone evokes the warmth of a much-needed hug." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "A well-paced, original story with intriguing characters and intertwined threads of reality and magic." —Booklist, starred review

★ "Birdsall is so adept at magical realism that after finishing this book, readers will likely keep an eye out for fairylike creatures the next time they visit a museum or library." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Birdsall brings together familiar fantasy tropes and always focuses on developing an enchanting world where a child can be both protector and protected....a treasure full of wonder, mystery, and found family." —Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Birdsall gives the coming-of-age theme a fresh spin in her inventive story, one that’s filled with endearing, quirky characters and delicious intrigue....Enchanting." —Kirkus Reviews

"Birdsall’s endearing fantasy features loving and lovable new friends both human and Lahdukan, with Phelan’s winsome black-and-white illustrations interspersed." —The Horn Book

"Birdsall has created a magical world that readers can nestle into as they follow Gwen’s adventures." —The Bulletin